Happy Easter!

In the meantime, here are three totally random photos from this past week that I am posting because any other photos would include the hot mess that is currently my house, and let's face it...who wants to see that??

Friends, Fun, Food, And Sun

And naps. Lots of naps. We returned from our family time spent together aboard our favorite cruise ship ever, The Carnival Pride, rested and full of memories to last a lifetime. The amazing thing about cruising is that you are all together for an entire week with nothing to do but spend quality together. And of course, make new friends.

Here are way too many photos of the week we spent cruising together...

On our way...

It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time

Flashback to late November, and my Madison was returning to Denmark after being home for Thanksgiving. Our firstborn would be spending her first Christmas away from home, and despite our brave faces, she and I were both extremely sad and apprehensive. Enter Steve, the most amazing husband and father, who strives to ensure his family is as happy as is humanly possible. Before Madison and Nicolas left for the airport, Steve surprised us by telling us we were all going on a cruise in March! (FYI...a cruise in March is almost half the price of one in June.) And so, we were happy that even though our Christmas wouldn't be the same, we all had something to look forward to come March.

Great idea, right?

Random Photo Friday

Happy Friday, my friends! And Happy St. Patrick's Day weekend! The past week was a busy one here, and seemed to pass very quickly. Thank you for all the kind words regarding my Madison coming home! She and Nicolas arrived safe and sound, and my house and my heart are full. Well, my house is not all that full. Things are being moved out as we speak! The actual move is set for March 31, so we will celebrate Easter Sunday in our new home.  Here are a few pictures of the past week here in our cozy and chaotic home.

After Mass last week, Flynn lit a candle for a very special friend.

This Makes Me Happy

Any guesses???

Ok. One more...

Yep!

My firstborn is returning home today!!!!

She and Nicolas are coming for a visit!

And my heart is happy. 

What are you happy about today, my friends??

Moms, Go Easy On Yourself

Scrolling through Pinterest one day last week, I asked myself what exactly happened to simplicity. With apologies to all who search Pinterest for the most creative and complex treats for their kids, I am going to go out on a limb and say that enough is enough. Moms...go easy on yourself. Simple is better, Trust me.

As a second grade teacher many years ago, I saw the many snacks and treats my students brought for parties. I saw the elaborate, individually decorated cupcakes adorned with unwrapped candies. I also saw the prepackaged cupcakes in the plastic wrappers. I specifically remember one thing very clearly. The children would look at and pick apart the messy, unwrapped, cupcakes an ambitious mom labored over. Then they would rip open the plastic and eat the store bought treats as fast as they could!

In a world where competition often overshadows common sense, it is easy to feel pressured to spend hours using homemade icing gluing tiny cookies onto a Twinkie. I am here to tell you...you don't have to do that! Buy a box of cupcakes, cookies or fruit cups and call it a day. Spend the time saved playing a game with your children or perhaps taking a walk. After all, who do we moms really need to impress? The other mothers? The teachers? Or our own children, who will remember the time spent laughing with us as we watched a movie together way longer than they will remember those elaborate marshmallow covered sheep cookies?

OK. These just give me the creeps!

This.

Why?

And this.

I feel like they would be stale and sticky.

And I shudder to think of how many times they were touched!

Although this sounds snarky, it comes from the heart.

A simple cupcake and a cup of Kool-aid...

The party treats of the 1970's...

That's what we enjoyed.

Go easy on yourself.

And give simple a try.

Pinterest for the pics. : )

Random Photo Friday

Hello, my friends and Happy Friday! I hope everyone experiencing this late winter weather is safe and warm and cozy. We are plugging away here in our cozy home. The girls and I are busy sorting and packing and cleaning, and Steve and Rhett are loading and delivering things to the new house. I am blessed to have so much love and encouragement from all of you, as well as from family and friends here at home. My sweet mom was here last week, and was so good at motivating me to get things done! At 81, she is the most positive and loving person ever! Steve's family has offered so much help, and my sister Margie and her husband Chris are lined up for moving day. Last but never least, Marian is coming this weekend to help, and I suspect for emotional support as well! : )

The week passed quickly. Here is what we were up to...

Why do we always take selfies on the way to Mass?

Simple. It is the one time a week we are all dressed and ready!

Don't You Just Love

More Than Just Books

Moving is very enlightening. Our family is realizing just how much stuff we have. How much of this do we really need? From now on, I am determined to be much more mindful of careless purchases and impulsive spending. Except for one thing. Books.

Some women collect shoes. Some collect purses. Me? I collect books. I love to read, and always have several books on my bedside table. I have always been a reader. I read books like some people ride bikes, or play golf. It is just what I do. I mainly read autobiographies, true crime novels, and some select fiction.

Random Photo Friday

And just like that, it's March.

Our week was filled with packing and boxes and tubs and dust!

Have you ever experienced the copious amount of dust flying around when you start moving things that you haven't touched in months?

Yikes!

Here is a quick peek back at the week that was...dust not included.